CHALVEY Sports chairman Scott Young admits the 4-0 defeat at Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Challenge Cup on Saturday was a learning curve.

Unbeaten in Division Two East this season, Chalvey were overcome by Premier Division opposition – the first-ever time Sports have played a club at that level – in the third round tie.

Ash Cordwell, Sam Blackey, Kyle Pitts and Ben Prictor all found the net for Brimscombe at The Meadow, while Chalvey while left to rue what might have been after failing to take their chances.

Young told the Observer: “We started really well. We were well up for it because some of our lads had played at this level before.

“We’re in good form, finding goals relatively straightforward to come by and not conceding many, so we were in good shape.

“For the first 20 minutes we were the better side. Defensively we held our own but from our first mistake they scored.

“Brimscombe then had a good spell but we came back and finished the half strongly. At full-time their players said we should have been ahead at half-time.

“In the second half they really did step it up a gear. They picked up very well and dominated, and it was always going to be hard when the third goal went in.”

He continued: “It’s hard to say but the dynamics of the game change if you take your chances.

“Brimscombe would have to come out and exert their dominance on a team ranked lower than them, but we could not get into a position to assert that. We never got into a position to test their resolve.

“Brimscombe are a class club all-round really. They looked after the supporters and players. The supporters had a good drink and the players did after, so it was very enjoyable all-round.

“We learnt where we need to improve if we want to step up a level and how to cope with certain situations in a game.

“We came out thinking what if we had taken our chances, but that’s football for you.

“You’ve got to expect teams playing at a higher level to step it up after a bad first half and that’s exactly what they did.”

Chalvey return to league action this Saturday with a visit to the Recreation Ground from Sandhurst Town Reserves (3pm), and Young is confident of a win.

He said: “I’m confident because we’ve already played them at their place and won 3-0. and beat their first team in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup.

“I’m confident we can win but it’s not going to be easy, so we’ve just got to play with confidence.”